An effort to revive a stalled ordinance aimed at holding parents accountable for their children’s behavior at so-called “trends” and “takeovers” failed Wednesday, as 30 of the City Council’s 50 aldermen voted against the revised proposal.
“Tired of the teen takeovers? Sadly, they’re not going anywhere,” Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th), the ordinance’s chief sponsor, wrote on Twitter after the measure was rejected. Lopez also posted the names of all 30 aldermen who voted against the proposal, along with two council members who were absent.
The ordinance was originally introduced in October 2023 but stalled in the City Council’s Public Safety Committee. Lopez said he and Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) used a parliamentary procedure known as “defer and publish” to keep the legislation from dying in committee.
Lopez and eight co-sponsors returned Wednesday with a revised version that they said addressed concerns raised by the city’s Law Department about the constitutionality of the original proposal and criticism that its penalties were too severe. Under the substitute ordinance, violators could choose between paying a fine or completing community service rather than facing both penalties. The measure also increases sanctions for repeat violations committed within one year.
The proposal would amend portions of Chicago’s municipal code governing juvenile curfews and parental responsibility. It would allow the city to hold a parent or guardian responsible if they “willfully, knowingly, or by insufficient control” permit a minor to violate city ordinances or other laws.
Parents of minors who violate the city’s curfew ordinance could face fines of up to $500, while minors could be ordered to complete up to 75 hours of community service and participate in family counseling. Penalties would escalate for repeat violations within a year.
Another provision would target adults and minors who use social media, messaging applications, or other forms of communication to encourage minors to commit crimes or ordinance violations. Violators could face fines of up to $10,000 and the impoundment of their vehicles.
Lopez argued that recent incidents involving large groups of youths demonstrate the need for stronger enforcement measures.
“Since this measure was put before the Committee on Public Safety, Chicago has seen several high-profile events involving youth,” Lopez said in a statement. “Additionally, neighborhoods across Chicago know the sounds of vehicular street takeovers by youth seeking social media fame. City Council must take action now before these activities become the norm and not the exception.”
In addition to Lopez and Beale, the ordinance was co-sponsored by Ald. Marty Quinn (13th), Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd), Ald. Monique Scott (24th), Ald. Felix Cardona Jr. (31st), Ald. Nicholas Sposato (38th), Ald. James Gardiner (45th), and Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th).
